What's in a name? Doylenes gather for Colorado reunion

NAMESAKES- Doylenes gathered in Colorado for a meeting of those with similar names included (from left) D. Shull, D. Fancher from Oklahoma, D. Hinze from Arkansas, D. Stafford from Tennessee, D. Waldron from Mississippi, D. Gilliland from Texas, D. Arnold from Texas, D Heaton from Oklahoma, D. Garvey from Colorado.

It all started with a surprise from Doylene “Dote” Shull’s husband Dan in 2010.

Upon learning his wife had a Facebook page, Dan stumbled across a group she was unknowingly a part of called, the “Doylene’s, Doyleen’s, Doylean’s, Doilene’s Club.”

Dan contacted one of the Doylenes who was organizing a trip to Tennessee where they could all meet. On Mother’s Day, Dan surprised Dote with the trip, plans complete and all.

Now two years later, Dote, of Newport, was reunited with her Doylenes and also was able to meet two new Doylenes.

While many people in Perry County know a Doylene, there aren’t many who have that name across the country. The founder of the group gave in to curiosity, and did a Google search to find out just how many people shared her name.

“She started finding Doylenes spelled four different ways,” said Dote. “She found approximately 80 to 85.”

Dote said a lot of the Doylenes were named after their fathers, either Doyle or Doyl.

“Everywhere we went, the Doylenes stood out,” she said. “Everyone wanted to hear our story of how we got our name.”

This year’s trip was to Colorado. Whoever lives in the state plans the trip, and the group hopes to go to a Doylene’s home state each year.

“The ten of us started our excursion at the home of the host,” said Dote. “She has a ranch, so we started at her place and traveled the next day.”

The Doylenes kept busy during the five-day trip, from relaxing in a hot springs pool to taking a train ride over the mountains. They went on a treasure hunt and walked through historical streets.

“We got our exercise. I said next year I’m going to be in shape,” said Dote.

One of the highlights for Dote was visiting the Colorado National Monument, and seeing the nearby arches.

“The arches were just breathtaking. Pictures don’t do it justice,” she said. “We walked up these dirt steps and walked and walked. Then you get to the arches and the rocks. You just can’t explain the beauty that is out there with the different rocks and the waterfalls.”

The Doylenes even grabbed oars and went white-water rafting, where Dote said she “took one for the team.”

“There were all of these rafts out on the river, and people were boating. It was kind of like a race,” said Dote. “The one guy went to throw a bucket of water at me, and the bucket hit me above the eye. I still have the mark to prove it.”

The whole reason for the trip, of course, is for all of the Doylenes to bond, both over their differences and similarities. Doylene Garvey and Dote have the same wedding anniversary, July 1. A few of the Doylenes also share birthdays.

The Doylenes, who all come from different places, brought gifts from their home state. One of the gifts Dote shared was Middleswarth chips, and she said everyone enjoyed trying something new.

“It was just amazing for just meeting for the first time, and even meeting the two new ones this year, just how we all got along so well,” said Dote.

The Doylenes even made a cookbook to share with others.

Dote said one thing the Doylenes have in common is their love of food, and the recipes are from all of the different states the Doylenes live. The first edition cookbook can be found in stores in Newport.

The Doylenes spent a few days bonding over their shared name, and in that, they now share a friendship.

“We crammed a lot into five days and just had a super time,” Dote said. “We’re hoping that as the Doylenes on Facebook read our adventures, there will be more next year.”

The plan is to head back to Tennessee next year, but watch out because the Doylenes could end up in Texas, Arkansas, Pennsylvania, Mississippi or one of the other many states the Doylenes inhabit.

“It’s been a wonderful experience, and more people should look up their name to find out,” said Dote. “I never thought that my name would bring me to meeting such nice folks.”